Deep in western Berlin, this stately neighbourhood is characterized by its large homes, former manors and a weekly meeting place for the city’s Thai community.

Stretching toward the forested fringes of Greater Berlin, Wilmersdorf is an area with a lineage of aristocratic residents and luxurious villas. Without the major tourist attractions of neighboring CharlottenburgOpens in a new window, Wilmersdorf’s quiet streets, sophisticated boutiques and restaurants and forested parks offer a glimpse into life in old Berlin. Once a haven for the bohemian artists of 20th-century Berlin, Wilmserdorf today has a reputation for a high class of living. Travel to the borough to explore its stylish streets.

See the diverse religious offerings of Berlin in Wilmersdorf. The area is home to the city’s largest Jewish population, with approximately 25,000 residents. Visit the stunning Russian Orthodox Church on Hohenzollerndamm for its traditional architecture or see the nearby Evangelical Kirche am Hohenzollerplatz for its 1930s Expressionist architecture. Walk to the Church of St. Ludwig for a fascinating experience. Built in the late 19th century, the Catholic church remains home to Franciscan monks. Photograph the monks as they cross the square, going about their daily routines. Look for the falcons that have built their nests at the top of the church’s spire.

Shop along the streets around Kurfurstendamm. The neighbourhood immediately south of the elegant boulevard in the beginning of Wilmersdorf is the location of a number of high-end boutiques and fine-dining restaurants. Enjoy a glass of German wine as you dine at a French bistro or sample traditional Bavarian cuisine from a south German restaurant.

Join hundreds in a uniquely Berlin experience each weekend at Preussen Park, immediately behind Fehrbelliner Platz. For decades the park has been the unofficial meeting place of the city’s Thai community, giving it the nickname Thai Park. Watch as locals grill fish on a barbecue, smash papaya in a bowl or lay out bags of curious bugs for you to taste. Everything can be purchased for a reasonable price. Bring a picnic blanket for a lazy day in the sun with a lively atmosphere.

Reach Wilmersdorf by train or bus. Look for hotels around the Kurfurstendamm area. Street and undercover parking is available throughout the region. Visit neighboring Charottenburg within the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough.